Download... September 4, 2011. Sunday Morning Service. Bro. Dave Goble.
TEXT: LUKE 16:19-31
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them..
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Verse 26 There was a great gulf fixed between the rich man and the beggar that was in heaven. We could use another word for that , he was separated by a ‘great chasm.’ Verse 24 “Lazarus here, means God’s help.” Verse 29 ... “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” Exhorts us that one should have been persuaded from Moses and prior prophets exhortations, to bridge the gap between our soul and God. ...Perhaps this might be amazing to some, that you could make heaven your home, from “Moses and the prophets!”
Verse 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Verse 26 There was a great gulf fixed between the rich man and the beggar that was in heaven. We could use another word for that, he was separated by a ‘great chasm.’
A chasm is a deep fissure in the earth that is so wide that you can not get across it, and so deep you cannot see the bottom of it. Spiritually this is what separated the rich man from “heaven” it was something he could not possibly cross. In our earthly illustrations, the grand canyon is a good example of a chasm, so vast in it’s enforced separation from one side to the other. This chasm or gulf which the rich man found himself, was and is, an eternal separation. It wasn’t just something that conjures up the thought, “Oh well, you’re there, and I’m here." It was a vast eternal separation of him in hell while in torment. Separated by a chasm, not just a mere temporal separation, but a permanent state of being, ..while in anguish. The thought this morning is “Closing ...the Great Gulf”. It is an important message, for while still here in this life on earth, it need not be permanent. There in eternity, ..it is permanent, for souls that have not accepted the love of God through the forgiveness of sins. Those that did not make a decision to serve God in eternity, ..that gulf for them is fixed. A permanent state of imperfection.
Why do we say “imperfection?” This is important because God desires to perfect our soul condition ...while still in this life. Whatever exists in the place of eternity, ..is permanent. Whatever exists here, ...is temporary. Yet God desires to spiritually perfect us here. So when we “pass over,” it can be to that permanent place of perfection..with Him. Perfected.
This exhortation is so important, so that we can know, that while still in this temporal place in life, God can permanently perfect us. To prepare us.. so we can cross over this great gulf, to eternal perfection from this temporary place. In other words, the great gulf that is fixed here between heaven as an eternal home for us, need not be permanent. For Christ is here for us, to close that gap. To close that Great Gulf. Bro Goble testified that he was so happy, that one day, God revealed to him, 'Who' it was, that could close that great gulf or gap, for his soul. Not to just get "close” but to actually close the gulf ..separating him from the goal of heaven.
Let’s consider several scriptures, on the bible language regarding perfection, otherwise it can be hard for people in general, to understand this concept. The following speaks of completion and perfection.
Genesis 6:8,9 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. Noah found favor in God’s eyes. He was listed as a just man and perfect in the eyes of the LORD. It is possible for you to find favor and be perfect in God’s eyes, ..while still in the flesh!
Leviticus 22:21 And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein. God accepts that which has no blemish. It is a perfect sacrifice! In order for this flesh to be accepted by God, there can be no blemish. Not in a biblical way of the flesh, ..but in a spiritual one. God wants a perfect sacrifice without blemish. Blemish is a type of sin,.. isn’t it? So God’s plan for us is for Him to get us to a place where there is no sin, to His “mark “in order to close the gap. Sin ..“misses the mark!”
God wants us to get to the place where we are confident in our experience that God has closed the gap, ..and we are on “the mark.” There are probably many examples for us to grasp the definition of closing the gap. There is such a wide chasm between sinners, ..and those redeemed 'Out' of sin. The bible tells us when God forgives us from our sin, He removes them as far as the east is from the west. Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he moved our transgressions from us. This is how far the chasm is between the sinful condition, and the condition of being reconciled to God.
Those of you who traveled on a plane, or have been prior on a plane, Bro Goble likened it to how a pilot brings in the plane for a landing, so the passengers can safely disembark. You will see that there is an airport employee outside the area where the plane is coming in, to give directions/guidance ..for a proper safe landing. The plane will only open for disembarking, when the nose of the airplane is properly aligned (to the markings meant for that size of plane) ..to the marks of that jetway. So as that “director” is using his batons to direct that plane, while the pilot is using the throttles, the plane “director continues to demonstrate how far and how soon to direct it, in "closing the gap ". Instructing “keep coming, ..keep coming, until the pilot is “together” with the instructions, and he knows then when to “shut it down.” It is only safe for the door to be opened, when the passengers can safely disembark from the plane. It would be easy to see the parallels to this type of analogy. The Holy Spirit “pulling us forward.” Telling, us “closer, closer, closer, there’s still a gap.” “Keep coming, keep coming, you’re not on the mark yet, ..keep coming!” Keep coming, ...keep coming, ..now you’re on the mark. When everything is on the mark, ...everything works right!
The Church has to get where it is on the mark, and,..to stay on the mark! Why? Because when the doors open, people must be able to get in! It cannot be off mark ..even a little. Bro Goble testified how when he was on a plane once, the pilot could not get the plane on the mark. He was sitting in the back of the plane, praying for God’s help for the pilot to be able to get the plane correctly aligned. It had been a long flight, and so Bro David was praying “Please help the pilot to find the mark,” he obviously wanted to get off. After much “jostling” back and forth in attempts to align, the plane seemed to not be accomplishing the need, (for it must be perfect), ...for the passengers to be allowed off and on. Everyone was understandably very frustrated. Finally the pilot came out of the plane, ..so he, himself could operate the jetway, and finally got it into position. Bro Goble said “thank God he did, for now I’m here! “ (LOL) Illustrating, ….you have to get it on the mark! You have to close the gap, or chasm! You have to eliminate the great gulf where people cannot get on or off! There is spiritually a perfect alignment where the gap can be closed! This perfect alignment ..is without blemish!
I Kings 11:4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. He had given in to the way of imperfection, after God had honored him with Godly wisdom. He had turned away from God. Today is temporal,...but "tomorrow" ..will be permanent in eternity. There is a perfection that God requires, or, a completeness, a wholeness, ..a blamelessness. We must get to that mark through Christ, to be aligned where God would have us. Solomon had “lost sight of the mark.” In doing that he became imperfect in God’s sight, ..losing what God had honored him with. God help us to keep the perfection God gives us! It won’t be easy at times to discern the way to keep that perfection. Some might contend that “it should be easy.” Wrong! It is not always easy! God help us (as a sister exhorted earlier in the services) to have patience with ourselves, ..and one another. For God to have 'His' perfect way!
II Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. The man of God needs to be perfect, but it is not just for those who are religious, and those who are not. It is meant for the entire species of mankind. We all need to be spiritually perfect. While in the flesh of course, we in our humanity can not always possess perfect understanding and knowledge.
Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. Jesus was made perfect. Does “made" imply He was previously not perfect? No. His flesh was imperfect by design. Jesus was spiritually complete, but His flesh needed to also be made perfect in this temporal world. This world at one time, did not exist, and will later again not exist. This world’s existence dwells within the “bookends of time.” All that is here, ..will be gone. All that we live in, ..is changeable. There is a “permanence” that will outlast this temporary life. We need to be “aware”, planning, ..”scheduling” an appointment, for that place of permanence. Jesus mortal flesh died, even as our mortal flesh will die.
He was then made perfect, for His mortal flesh was resurrected, making it perfect as we must be made perfect. This is not a message that is less than the divinity of Christ. Christ went from a temporal place and time, to go to a place of permanence. He did so to “close the gap.” Christ was the catalyst to close the gap. We need to be allowed to be made perfect, as He was made perfect. Herein is our love made perfect.
I John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. So apparently there is something here that needs to made perfect. For something that is “made” perfect, implies a “movement”, a progression. Something wasn't ..and now is. How and why does that happen? Because in the human condition, there is a great chasm that exists before it is made perfect. That human condition, that great gulf that exists between you and God, ..caused by your sin. Christ desires, can, and must, eliminate that great gulf of sin that exist in men and women, ..to make us perfect. Sin is that great chasm or gulf. Satan has no ability to choose, as he was created for evil to exist in the world for a purpose. We were created to be able to have a choice. Don’t blame it on Satan! By our own choices to sin, we individually created our gulf between us and God. We have the opportunity to close the great gulf, that great chasm, by humbling our self to His deliverance.
I Corinthians 13:9,10,12 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part, shall be done away with. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. There are things I don’t know even with heart perfection, ..within my human condition. Even as I am complete in God’s sight, ..there is still also an incompleteness in our fleshly body here. The incompleteness is Not sin! The incompleteness is the human condition that is struggling to comprehend some spiritual things, for humanity suffers worry, concern, anxiety, sorrow, suffering, etc. “A glass darkly,” making it difficult ‘at times’ to “find the face of God,” although through Christ we are living righteously, trying with all our heart. An incompleteness. In acknowledging this, ..we can then be drawn to God. Christ has the way to close the gap, “translating us” so that He is our all in all!
An biblical account of this struggling in our humanity in spite of being reconciled to God, was of the apostle Peter being rebuked or corrected ..by the apostle Paul. Peter was rebuked for his bias toward the Gentiles, first fellow-shipping with them until the Jews were present, but then withdrawing from them. (Galatians 2:11-16). Peter was as complete as he knew how to be, ..until this correction. Don’t be discouraged when your humanity struggles to “make the mark.” Stay on on the mark , ..don’t let your struggles “take away” your hope! Stay where God has placed you ...on the mark.
That pilot previously mentioned here, knew he was not perfectly aligned so the door could open. The “jetways” represent the incompleteness in things of this life, that can discourage. But don’t move from the directions of God’s word and where He places you. You possibly need to move the “jetways” ..or the hindering things in your life.
Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. God doesn’t change! All humanity is bound for change. Eternal and eternity is permanent. Permanence does not change! Bro Goble confessed, ..“I am the one” ..when it comes to “seeing through a glass darkly.” Bro Goble also said “I’ll say it for you, “if you say you see things clearly, then “I am the one who sees through the glass darkly. Pray for me, ..that I will see through the glass clearly.” But even so, we are so glad, that we can trust in a God that Never Changes! We must always ensure our connection to Him in the midst, ..of the changes that life gives us. Our experience in Him, is made perfect ..although our understanding is imperfect in our flesh. All of us can, or will see so many things differently, ..through, " a glass darkly.” But let us never lose sight (in the imperfection of human reasoning) or touch of the “Hand of God” together...who is perfection., as we strive to stay “on the mark.” If I do, ...I will be lost. The ‘Hand of God’ is our perfection, our only hope! It is our “constant,” ..our “common denominator,” ..is God!
Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust in much. This is a condition that on earth is still temporary, ..but to die like this, it is a permanent gap or gulf. II Timothy 4:10 For De-mas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thess-a-lo-ni-ca: Cres-cens to Gala-tia, Ti-tus unto Dal-ma-tia. God still loved De-mas, but De-mas didn’t love God, ..creating a great gulf. Eternity affords permance that never can be changed. While still here on earth, we have the opportunity to allow God to close the gap.
Will you allow God to close the gap? Whatever we do, we must attempt to reach souls with the message, for the gap needs to be closed for eternity, with God, and not separation ..from Him. So the estrangement “the gap” between men, women and God, ..can be closed. Be willing to let God close the entire gap. Too many may be willing to let God close the gap, for a “certain space,” but not completely. The gap will then not be ultimately closed. Souls need to “touch palms” with God! No self is allowed to separate one from Him. No hungering for my own way. Instead a hunger to rub palms with God. No personal convictions, and agendas, that only keep us from closing the gap,..rubbing palms with Him. Do obey God...so you are also a connection for others to find Him.
Heart perfection is that which leads to God’s perfect will, while in this imperfect world. Keeping close to God, ..so eternity will be in perfection.. joined to Him, with no gulf between!
